The hardest part of planning a China trip is deciding how long to go and what to leave out. China is the size of a continent, so a good itinerary picks two or three places and does them well rather than racing through six. This guide explains how many days you actually need and gives ready made routes for five to fourteen days. For the wider picture, see our China travel guide.
How many days do you need in China?
Count usable days, not calendar days. Your arrival day goes to the flight, your last day goes to the airport, and each city change costs roughly half a day even by high speed rail. A seven day trip is really about four and a half days of sightseeing.
| Trip length | Realistic scope |
|---|---|
| 5 to 6 days | One city plus a day trip, for example Beijing and the Great Wall |
| 7 to 9 days | Two cities linked by rail, usually Beijing and Shanghai |
| 10 to 12 days | Three cities, adding Xi'an, Guilin or Chengdu |
| 14 days or more | Four regions at a comfortable pace, including a landscape leg |
5 days: Beijing in depth
Perfect for a first taste or a stopover. Day one, arrive and walk the hutongs. Day two, the Great Wall at Mutianyu. Day three, the Forbidden City, Tiananmen and Jingshan Park. Day four, the Temple of Heaven and the Summer Palace. Day five, a last breakfast and the airport. You never change hotel, which keeps it relaxed.
7 days: Beijing and Shanghai
The classic first trip, north and south linked by a single high speed train. Days one to three in Beijing for the Wall, the Forbidden City and the hutongs. Day four, the morning train to Shanghai. Days five and six for the Bund, Yu Garden, the French Concession and a day trip to Suzhou or Hangzhou. Day seven, fly home. Book the train early. See our high speed rail guide.
10 days: add Xi'an
The same Beijing and Shanghai route with the Terracotta Warriors slotted in. Days one to three in Beijing, then the train to Xi'an for days four and five, seeing the Warriors and cycling the city wall. Continue by rail to Shanghai for days six to eight, then home. This is the strongest ten day route for first timers, covering imperial, ancient and modern China.
14 days: add a landscape
With two weeks you can add the scenery that makes people fall for China. Follow the ten day route, then fly from Shanghai to Guilin for days eleven to thirteen: a Li River cruise and cycling around Yangshuo. Or swap Guilin for Chengdu and its panda base. Day fourteen, fly home from the final city. An open jaw ticket, in one city and out another, saves a backtracking day.
Tips for building your own route
- Give Beijing three days, Shanghai two, Xi'an two, and Guilin or Chengdu three each.
- Use high speed rail between neighbouring cities and flights for long jumps like Shanghai to Guilin.
- Fly into one city and out of another to avoid retracing your steps.
- Leave one slow day. A teahouse afternoon is a better memory than a sixth rushed sight.
- Check the calendar against the best time to visit China and avoid Golden Week and Chinese New Year.
Would rather someone else handled the bookings? A China tour package covers hotels, transfers and tours in one plan.
Frequently asked questions
Is 7 days enough for China?
Yes, for two cities. Seven days comfortably covers Beijing and Shanghai with the Great Wall included. It is not enough to add Xi'an or Guilin without feeling rushed.
What is the best 10 day China itinerary?
Beijing, Xi'an and Shanghai, linked by high speed rail. It covers the Great Wall, the Terracotta Warriors and modern Shanghai, which is the classic first trip trio.
How many cities should I visit in China?
Two cities for a week, three for ten days, and four only if you have two weeks. Fewer cities done properly beats a longer list seen from taxis and stations.
More China travel guides
- China Travel Guide: Visas, Cities, Costs and How to Plan a First Trip
- Best Time to Visit China: Month by Month, Region by Region
- Things to Do in China: 15 Experiences Worth Your Time
'/%3E%3C/svg%3E)